Sparking up the discussion in community action

This week’s Coffee Afternoons Monday motto was “power to the people” and was hosted by SW1 Community Organiser, Chi Usanga. She led a discussion and listening exercises with the residents, aiming to encourage people to challenge themselves or in failing that challenge their competitive streak with a friendly game of Bingo to end the coffee afternoon!

The discussion was relaxed and was the first of the listening exercises in Small Works‘ space. Chi gradually engaged in discussion with the residents asking simple questions like: “What do you like about where you live?” The next question asked was “what would be your ideal vision of this area?”

Residents were then probed about their concerns, whether direct or indirect, about their neighbourhood. Residents were encouraged to explain how they would contribute in shaping community movements and groups to address these concerns. The constant buzz of voices gradually began to increase in volume with many ideas for the community eventually being vented by the residents.

To round off the afternoon, residents were asked if they feel like they have a say in where they live. This sparked a huge debate with many suggesting that they feel neglected, believing that their voice is not being heard. As we know, finding the common ground within communities is difficult. We need to therefore identify why people feel like they don’t have a say in the community through the grassroots level.

The important thing to take out of the afternoon was that residents of the Peabody Estate shared a common understanding in generating ideas about how they would improve the community and, ultimately, their future.

With the help of Community Organiser, we can reach the residents of SW1 and challenge residents’ thinking about what they can do in their community. To sum up, as Chi put it in the best way possible, we need to “move residents from inaction to action!”